PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amending portions of chapter 16-401 WAC, dealing with inspections and nursery inspection fees.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 15.13 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Current fee levels are not anticipated to cover costs to render services by the plant services program. The department is mandated in statute to support these activities through fees for service. It may be necessary to raise fees within the fiscal growth factors for both fiscal year 2001 and 2002. Other modifications may be necessary to acknowledge changes in industry practices, environmental conditions, and legislative mandates.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Washington State Department of Agriculture representatives discuss proposed rule change with affected stakeholders, especially the statutory Nursery Advisory Committee, and publish the rule proposal.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Mary Toohey, Assistant Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Lab Services Division, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1907, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail mtoohey@agr.wa.gov; or Tom Wessels, Plant Services Program Manager, Washington State Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 42560, Olympia, WA 98504-2560, (360) 902-1984, fax (360) 902-2094, e-mail twessels@agr.wa.gov.
January 3, 2001
Mary A. Martin Toohey
Assistant Director